Patent GB-602374-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to electric steam irons
IPC: D06F75/18
Filed: 1945-09-18
Abstract: 602,374. Steaming - irons. SHEPHERD, G. R. (Westinghouse Electric International Co.). Sept. 18, 1945, No. 24104. [Class 138(ii)] An electric steaming-iron comprises a soleplate 11 having a steam generator 39 located adjacent its rear end, means for supplying water to the generator, electric heating means 27 extending from front to rear of the soleplate along the sides thereof, a thermostat 34 mounted on the soleplate adjacent its lower surface, passage means 38 which extend from the steam generator towards the front end of the soleplate closely adjacent the heating means 27 and are disposed horizontally between the thermostat and heating means so as to cooperate with the steam generator for limiting the conductionary heat from the heating means to the thermostat, and means at the front end of the iron for discharging steam from the passage 38 on to the material to be pressed. The iron, which is provided with a plastic or wood handle 13, has a sheet-metal cover 12 within which is disposed a horizontal partition 14 so as to form a reservoir 15. The reservoir is filled with water through a tube 16 which is secured to the top wall of the cover 12 and extends through an opening in the rear of the handle 13; a flanged bushing 17 on the tube 16 serves to secure the rear part of the handle to the cover. The upper end of the tube 16 is normally closed by a cap 19 and gasket 21 which are brazed into closed position by a spring 22 secured between the cap and a wire clip 24 engaging the lower end of the tube. The heating element 27, which may be cast into the soleplate, is connected to terminal brackets 32 on the handle by conductors 31 which pass through a tube 33 extending through the reservoir 15. The thermostat 34, which is connected in series with the element 27, is disposed in a well 35 in the soleplate and is adjusted by a knob 71 on a shaft 72 passing through a sleeve 73 in the reservoir. The wall 36 of the well 35, together with the raised portion of the soleplate wedging element 72, serve to form a U-shaped passage 38. The steam-generator 39 is closed at its lower end by a removable annular plug 40, the central part of which is formed by a headed member 41 threaded onto a bushing 43 having a central passage 44 connecting the reservoir 15 with the space 39. The bushing 43 is threaded into the lower end of a tubular strut 45 secured between the upper and lower walls of the reservoir and carries a thin metal disc 48 for closing the top of the space 39. The disc 48 seats in an opening 49 in a cover plate 51 of relatively poor heat-conducting material which is substantially co-extensive with the sole plate and serves to close the passage 38 so as to provide contacts leading from the space 39 to the front of the iron. Adjacent the front of the iron, the plate 51 is provided with a recess 52 to permit steam 4 to be carried upwardly over the element 27 and then down through ports 53 in the ironing surface of the sole plate. Water from the reservoir is fed through openings 74 in the strut 45 to the passage 44, from which it drops on to the member 41 and flows into the space 39 through openings 75; the rate of flow of the water is controlled by a valve which engages a seat 61 and is adjustable by a knob 63 on the valve stem 58. In order to equalise pressure within the space 39, channels 38 and reservoir 15, a vent tube 64 connects the channels 38 with the top of the reservoir 15; the upper end of the tube 64 projects into a cap member 67 provided in a recess 66 in the handle, and an apertured baffle plate 68 is fitted around the tube 64 to prevent water from splashing up into the vent tube. The member 41 and plug 40 may be withdrawn should it be desired to remove deposits of scale from the space 39. If desired, the plug 40 may extend forwardly to form a bottom wall of part of the channels 38 so that on its removal a substantial portion of the channel is exposed for cleaning.